English Project

On
Colonialism
“What colonialism does is cause an identity crisis
about one's own culture” - Lupita Amondi Nyong'o

Name: Somya
Gupta Class
and section:
12 ‘e’ Board
Roll Number:
Session: 2024-25
School: Modern School, Barakhamba
Road, New Delhi

INDEX

Sl. No. Title Page No.

Statement of
1. Purpose 3
2. Certificate of 4
Completion
3. Action Plan 5
4. Questionnaire 6-7
Questionnaire 8-10
5. Analysis
6. Report 11-15
Student Reflection
7. Sheet 16
8. Bibliography 17
 Statement Of Purpose
Colonialism is the policy or practice of
acquiring full or partial political control
over another country, occupying it with
settlers, and exploiting it economically.
The history of human civilization is marked
by a complex interplay of cultural
encounters, power dynamics, and socio-
economic transformations, many of which
have been profoundly shaped by the
phenomenon of colonialism. The legacy of
colonialism has had far-reaching
consequences on societies, economies, and
identities across the globe. As we stand in
the present, it is imperative to delve into the
intricate layers of colonial history and its
lasting effects, in order to better
comprehend our world's complexities and
foster a more inclusive and just future.
This research project greatly tries to get an
insight about various aspects of Colonialism,
effect of Colonialism on people and their
culture, justification of the practice of
Colonialism, people’s views on Colonialism
and also the economic and psychological
effects of Colonialism on the effected
groups.
Certificate of Completion
This is to certify that Lakshya Aryan
Class XII ‘I’ of Modern School, Barakhamba Road,
New Delhi, has done his research project work on
Colonialism as a part of the ALS Project, English
Core (301), CBSE, under the guidance of Mrs.
Meghna Kapoor.

It has been observed that he has shown keen

interest in the assigned work and has completed it
within the mentioned time period.
 Signature
(Mrs. Meghna Kapoor)

Action Plan
An action plan is a detailed plan outlining
actions needed to reach one or more goals.
It can be defined as a, “sequence of steps
that must be taken, or activities that must
be performed well, for a strategy to
succeed.” These are the following steps I
took to compile my research project on
Colonialism:
1. First collected all relevant data about the
concept of Colonialism from the web as
well as newspaper articles.
2. Secondly, I researched on the history of
colonialism and researched about the
current and past colonies.
3. I then created a questionnaire to get to
know more about people’s views on the
particular subject.
4. After finalising the questionnaire, I
analysed what each of the subjects had
given as answers and then finally
created a chart showing the different
data analysis for each question.
5. I then finally wrote the report to
summarise my views about the topic and
everything that I did as part of the
research project.
Questionnaire
I made a questionnaire and conducted a
survey to understand people’s views on
Colonialism. Questions related to history,
cultural, social and economic, justification of
Colonialism as well as people’s views on
Colonialism were asked.

The following questions were asked:

1. Can you name any prominent countries
that served as the major Colonial
powers in the period between 18th -
20th Century AD.
2. Do you think that the major Colonial
Powers, as mentioned by you above,
 imposed their culture on their
colonies?
3. Do you think that the Colonial Powers
greatly exploited the colonies
economically?
4. Do you think that the Colonial Powers
interfered with the traditional and
religious beliefs of the people living in
the colonies?
5. Do you think that the 'interference' of
the Colonial Powers with the traditional
 and religious beliefs of the people living
in theolonies
c benefitted
6. Do you feel a sense of hatred towards
them?
the Colonial Powers that ruled your
country?
7. Did Colonialism bring about any
reforms in your country?
8. Can you name any prominent figures or
movements that emerged as a
to colonial
response oppression.
 Questionnaire Analysis
Can you name any prominent countries that
served as the major Colonial powers in
the period between 18th - 20th Century
AD. – 21 responses were collected. All
the responses included England as a
prominent country that served as a
major Colonial Power. England had many
colonies nearly in all the 6 continents
where people could live. Over time due
to the protests and anti-colonial
movements in the colonies, England had
to finally leave the countries.
2.
3.

4.

5.
6.

7.

8. Can you name any prominent figures or

movements that emerged as a response
colonial oppression.
to – 21responses were
collected. Most of the responses
mentioned Mahatma Gandhi as a
prominent figure who emerged as a
response to colonial oppression.
 Report
Introduction
Colonialism stands as a pivotal chapter in
world history, encompassing a complex and
often contentious interplay between
societies, economies, and cultures. It refers
to the expansion of powerful nations into
foreign territories for the purpose of
asserting dominance, exploiting resources,
and establishing control. This report aims to
provide an 800-word overiew of colonialism,
tracing its historical development,
examining its multifaceted impact, and
discussing its enduring legacy. Historical
Development
The roots of colonialism can be traced back
to ancient civilizations like the Greeks,
Romans, and Persians, who engaged in
imperial expansion. However, the modern
era of colonialism is characterized by
European powers' exploration, conquest,
and establishment of colonies in Africa, Asia,
the Americas, and Oceania, from the 15th to
the 20th centuries.
European colonial powers, driven by
economic motivations and the desire for
global dominance, embarked on ambitious
voyages of discovery. Christopher
Columbus's journeys in 1492 marked the
beginning of this era, leading to the
colonization of the Americas. Subsequently,
other explorers like Vasco da Gama and
Ferdinand Magellan opened up sea routes to
Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, setting the
stage for the global expansion of European
empires.
Impact of Colonialism
Economic Exploitation: One of the primary
motivations for colonialism was economic
gain. Colonizing powers extracted valuable
resources such as minerals, spices, and
agricultural products from their colonies.
This exploitation often occurred at the
expense of indigenous populations, leading
to socio-economic imbalances and poverty.
Cultural Interactions: Colonialism
facilitated cultural interactions between the
colonizers and the colonized. These
interactions often led to the blending of
cultures, languages, and religions. While this
cultural exchange enriched societies in
some instances, it also frequently resulted in
the erosion of indigenous cultures and
traditions. Political Dominance: Colonial
powers established political control over
their colonies, often leading to the
imposition of foreign legal systems and
governance structures. This manipulation of
local governance contributed to power
struggles, instability, and conflicts that
persist in some regions to this day.
Social Hierarchies: Colonial rule
introduced and perpetuated social
hierarchies based on race, ethnicity, and
social status. This legacy has left a lasting
impact on social dynamics in many former
colonies, leading to persistent inequalities
and discrimination.
Legacy of Colonialism
Economic Disparities: Many former
colonies continue to face economic
challenges due to the exploitative practices
of colonial powers. The extraction of
resources and the establishment of trade
patterns often favored the colonizers,
leaving post-colonial economies dependent
on limited resources and vulnerable to
global economic fluctuations.
Cultural Hybridity: The legacy of
colonialism is evident in the diverse cultural
landscapes of former colonies. Hybrid
cultures have emerged, blending indigenous
traditions with elements introduced by the
colonizers. This fusion has contributed to the
richness of contemporary societies, but it
has also led to debates about authenticity
and cultural identity.
Political Instability: The arbitrary
boundaries drawn by colonial powers often
disregarded existing ethnic, tribal, and
cultural divisions. This has resulted in
ongoing political conflicts and ethnic
tensions in many regions, as communities
struggle to coexist within artificially created
nationstates.
Global Power Structures: The global
power dynamics established during the
colonial era continue to influence
international relations. Former colonial
powers often maintain economic and
political influence over their former colonies,
shaping diplomatic policies and trade
relationships.
Post-Colonial Challenges
While many former colonies have gained
independence, they continue to grapple with
challenges stemming from colonial legacies.
These challenges include:
Development Disparities: Post-colonial
nations often face difficulties in achieving
sustainable development due to historical
inequalities, resource extraction, and lack
of access to education and healthcare.
Cultural Preservation: The erosion of
indigenous cultures and languages during
colonial rule has prompted efforts to revive
and preserve these elements, fostering a
sense of identity and pride among
marginalized communities.
Political Reconciliation: Many post-
colonial nations face the task of reconciling
diverse ethnic and religious groups within
their borders, often requiring innovative
approaches to governance and conflict
resolution.
Conclusion
Colonialism's impact on the world was
profound, shaping economies, cultures, and
societies across the globe. While it brought
economic growth and cultural exchange in
some instances, the negative consequences
of exploitation, social inequality, and
political instability continue to resonate.
Acknowledging and addressing the legacy of
colonialism is essential for achieving a more
equitable and just global society, one that
values cultural diversity and fosters
cooperation among nations.
Student Reflection Sheet
Colonialism is a widely controversial topic to
discuss on. It has its flaws as well as its ups.

The advantages of Colonialism have always

been modernity, improvements as well as
reforms.

The disadvantages of Colonialism have

always been more than advantages. Some
disadvantages of Colonialism include loss of
culture and land, social and economic
exploitation. Loss of cultural and social
norms.

I am very grateful to Meghna Ma’am to allow

me to work on this topic. I have learnt so
many new things about Colonialism: things
like psychological effect on current-day
people due to Colonialism, people’s current
views on Colonialism and also so many new
things about post-colonial period and
difficulties faced by so many countries in
recovering from the rule.

Bibliography
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AIpQLSfPLm9tXjKxeWmZGEHgINO2rwj
u4Mm2lHjNgaiEKE6S3gdA7w/viewform
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of_the_British_Raj
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